“When the New York Philharmonic moved to Lincoln Center in 1962, there were no women’s boxes. Because there was no woman in the orchestra, to remember The New York Times. Gold this fall […] for the first time in 180 years of existence, the women of the orchestra are more numerous than the men: 45 against 44”.
“It’s a profound change” occurred in this great institution, points out violist Cynthia Phelps.
“It was a long hard battle, and it still is.”
In the 1970s the orchestra began holding blind auditions, with candidates playing behind a screen, they recount daily. Enough to allow women to earn their place “loyally”, says its president Deborah Borda. They represent no less than ten of the final twelve recruits. “All we want is equity, because in society it’s 50-50”, adds Deborah Borda.
An imperfect equality
There are still many more men in the orchestra’s top positions, including that of music director, which has never been held by a woman, notes the New York Times. And it’s only since 2018 that women are allowed to wear pants at concerts.
However, “according to several musicians, in recent years […] the atmosphere has become more inclusive”.
And the New York Philharmonic is ahead of other ensembles. According to the newspaper, “Men still outnumber women in many of America’s top orchestras. In other places, progress is slower: the Vienna Philharmonic only allowed women to audition in 1997. Today it is about 17% women.”
